Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Value of X by Poppy Z. Brite ISBN: 1-931081-67-0 Publisher: Subterranean Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.88 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The Return of Poppy
Comment: "The Value of X" is Poppy Z. Brite's first novel since "The Lazarus Heart" in 1998. Brite is known mainly for her superb work in horror fiction, including the novels "Lost Souls," "Drawing Blood," and "Exquisite Corpse," and the sublime short story collection "Wormwood." For the past few years, Brite has been moving away from darker themes, publishing the novella "Plastic Jesus," and the essay collection "Guilty But Insane." Many of her fans are probably wondering if she can make the transition gracefully and still remain the hugely original writer she is. Rest assured, she has done it beautifully.
The plot of "The Value of X" concerns two teenage friends who fall in love with one another, and their respective families machinations to separate them, if they don't separate themselves first. In this story, Brite writes about her beloved New Orleans more vividly than she has ever done before, also giving us a glimpse into the fascinating behind-the-scenes world of restaurants.
The only fault in this novel is that it feels somewhat rushed, and may be too short to fully satisfy her diehard fans (like myself) who have been waiting for another novel for years. But "The Value of X" is the first in a trilogy, and the second, "Liquor," which takes place ten years later, will probably be published sometime in 2004. Personally, I can't wait to read it and get to know Rickey and Gary a little better. One of Poppy Z. Brite's strengths as a writer is creating characters that you fall in love with, and this is no exception. In addition to all of the strong characterizations, there are several scenes of power, the most potent of which is Gary's confession to a prejudiced priest.
Don't be afraid to read Poppy Z. Brite's new novel. She may have moved away from horror for good, but you would be foolish if you didn't take the journey with her.
Rating: 5
Summary: Poppy's New Voice
Comment: Poppy Z. Brite has been a cult horror phenomenon for quite a while, and has been a major voice for all the little gothlings out there. But even the Brite One gets tired of purple proze, I guess. So she gives us this gem!
I don't want to spoil too much of the plot for anyone, so I will leave my review at this: Poppy's writing style has CHANGES. This is no lush, florid tome where you read endless descriptions of blood in the moonlight and the lynx-green of a serial killer's eyes. No, here you will simply meet two nice young guys (who are, indeed, in a relationship--Poppy hasn't changed THAT much) who live in a rather slummy section of New Orleans and who dream of being chefs.
(Cue lush, florid descriptions of food. I swear, you'll gain a couple pounds just reading this book.)
There is no supernatural horror here...there is only the much more realistic horror of a young couple in love being separated by the parents who only want to "do the right thing." The book follows their tenative courtship, their early, rocky relationship, their time working in restaurants in the city, and their separation. It's a great little love story, and a much more accurate portrayal of New Orleans than one would find in, say, an Anne Rice book.
For anyone else who liked this, Subterranean Press is also publishing a chapbook of Poppy's, entitled "The Feast of St. Rosalie," also about the Stubbs family. Her recent short-story book, The Devil You Know," also features a few stories about Gary and Rickey (as well as the illustrious Dr. Brite, for anyone who read "Are You Loathesome Tonight?"). Forthcoming in 2004 is another story about these characters, entitled "Liquor."
Rating: 5
Summary: A whole new world
Comment: The first PZB tale I read was "Lost Souls", over a decade ago. In the time since then, she has been called a "Queen of Vampire Erotica", which is not fair, as only one of her ten original books even has vampires in it. She has dealt with vampires, zombies, spooky cats, the Beatles, and a coroner alter-ego named Dr. Brite.
PZB has been one of my favorite writers since the first time I read Lost Souls back in the early 90s. Each volume she releases, be it a simple chapbook or a 300 page novel, shows growth and more depth.
In Value of X, PZB continues her departure away from the horror tales of her early career. X is the story of (John) Rickey, and (Gary) G-Man Stubbs, two residents of New Orleans, and best friends since the fourth grade.
Rickey and Gary are not just best friends. They are gay and in love with each other, only they don't realize it. The secret each holds - that he is in love with the other - is complicated by the fact that all of their other friends spout homophobic slurs on a daily basis, and neither knows the other is gay.
After they finally figure it out, they become inseperable ... much to the annoyance of Rickey's mother and Gary's parents. A plan is hatched to drive them apart, by sending one of them across the country, while the other must stay in New Orleans, both missing each other terribly and wondering if they will ever see each other again.
This book is part one of a trilogy, which includes Value of X, Liquor, and The Big D. Liquor, the second book in the series, was actually written first. Absolutely typical of what I've come to expect from Poppy.
5 stars, and well worth your time. Brilliantly written and engaging, these characters will stay with you for a long time to come.
 |
Title: The Devil You Know by Poppy Z. Brite ISBN: 1931081727 Publisher: Subterranean Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
 |
Title: Liquor: A Novel by Poppy Z. Brite ISBN: 1400050073 Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA) Pub. Date: 01 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: Wrong Things by Poppy Z. Brite, Caitlin R. Kiernan ISBN: 1931081255 Publisher: Subterranean Press Pub. Date: 01 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
 |
Title: Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite ISBN: 0440214920 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 July, 1995 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite ISBN: 0440212812 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 October, 1993 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
